Liverpool’s players survived an unexpected test of their Premier League title credentials against last-place Sheffield United on Thursday. Manchester United, meanwhile, suffered a collapse at Chelsea.
This was a latest reminder of the gulf that separates English soccer’s fiercest rivals ahead of their clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Liverpool is back on top after a 3-1 win against Sheffield United, while Manchester United conceded two goals in stoppage time in a stunning 4-3 loss at Chelsea.
Liverpool’s players survived an unexpected test of their Premier League title credentials against last-place Sheffield United on Thursday. Manchester United, meanwhile, suffered a collapse at Chelsea.
This was the latest reminder of the gap between English soccer’s biggest rivals ahead of their encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Liverpool is back on top after a 3-1 victory against Sheffield United, but Manchester United suffered a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Chelsea, conceding two goals in stoppage time.
Liverpool’s success underlined Jurgen Klopp’s team’s tenacity as well as the growing influence of Alexis MacAllister, whose stunning second-half strike secured victory.
Anfield erupted as the Argentina international unleashed an unstoppable drive from the edge of the box, which slammed into the top corner in 76 min.
The atmosphere had been getting increasingly tense before that with the game locked at 1-1. Substitute Cody Gakpo added a third for Liverpool in the 90th to make the win look more routine than it was.
United are startled
After conceding late at Brentford, United endured an even greater collapse at Chelsea, with Cole Palmer scoring twice in stoppage time for a hat trick and an unexpected comeback for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
United appeared to be on their way to a morale-boosting victory after recovering from a dreadful start in which they fell behind 2-0 thanks to Conor Gallagher’s goal and Palmer’s penalty.
But Diogo Dalot’s clumsy foul on replacement Noni Madueke earned Chelsea a second penalty, which Palmer — a lifelong United fan — converted in the 110th minute.
The drama hadn’t ended yet. A minute later, Palmer’s shot from outside the area was deflected past Andre Onana, securing a stunning victory.
“I’m very delighted because I believe we deserved to win. “It was difficult, but overall we were the better team,” Pochettino stated.
Liverpool are on top.
Liverpool’s victory put them two points clear of second-place Arsenal and three ahead of third-place City, although Sheffield United had threatened to spring a surprise in the title battle.
Up until Mac Allister’s strike, it appeared to be a potentially miserable night at Anfield, with Conor Bradley’s own goal tying the game at 1-1 and canceling out Darwin Nunez’s opener.
Mac Allister’s long-range shot restored the advantage and raised the mood before Gakpo scored a header to make it 3-1.
“What matters most is patience. You can become frustrated or in a terrible mood, but we remained cool and focused,” Gakpo explained.
